Sports board with interchangeable edge section and connection means therefore

ABSTRACT

A sports board comprising a main portion ( 11 ) and an edge portion ( 13 ), the edge portion ( 13 ) being separable from the main portion ( 11 ), the edge portion ( 13 ) being engageable with the main portion ( 11 ), a connection means ( 17  &amp;  19 ) providing the inter engagement between the main portion ( 11 ) and the edge portion ( 13 ) to prevent relative movement between the main ( 11 ) and edge ( 13 ) portions when engaged, the connection means ( 17  &amp;  19 ) being able to withstand the forces anticipated to be exerted between the edge ( 13 ) and main ( 11 ) portions during use of the sports board. The invention also comprises the connection means ( 17  &amp;  19 ).

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a sports board having an interchangeable edge section. The invention has been devised in particular, though not solely, in respect of a surfboard having an interchangeable tail section.

Throughout this specification (including the claims), the term “sports board” will be understood to refer to any leisure device designed to travel across a surface, including, but not limited to, a surfboard, sailboard, wakeboard, snowboard, kite-surfing board, sky-surfing board and wave ski. In addition throughout this specification (including the claims) and where the context allows the term edge section shall be taken as comprising any portion of a sports board around the board.

Throughout the specification, unless the context requires otherwise, the word “comprise” or variations such as “comprises” or “comprising”, will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or group of integers but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers.

BACKGROUND

In the case of a surfboard (as a particular example of a sports board), the performance characteristics of the surfboard such as responsiveness, speed, buoyancy and turning circle, may depend on several parameters, including the density of the material from which that board is made, the size of the board, the active surface area, and the shape of the board. In terms of shape, the portions of the board which can generally have a profound influence on the performance characteristics can include the nose, rails and tail.

It is desirable to be able to vary the performance characteristics of a sports board, according to the skill and experience of the user and/or the conditions.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the invention resides in a sports board comprising a main portion and an edge portion, the edge portion being separable from the main portion, the edge portion being engageable with the main portion, a connection means providing the interengagement between the main portion and the edge portion to prevent relative movement between the edge portion and the main portion when engaged, the connection means being able to withstand the forces anticipated to be exerted between the edge portion and main portion during use of the sports board.

According to a preferred feature of the invention the edge portion is configured to extend along at least a portion of the edge of the main portion.

According to a preferred feature of the invention a plurality of edge portions are provided which are each capable of being separately engaged with the portion of the edge to provide a capacity for a variation in shape for the sports board.

According to a preferred feature of the invention the connection means comprises a first engagement portion provided on the edge portion, and a second engagement portion provided on the main portion, the first and second engagement portions being capable of said interengagement, the connection means further comprising a fastening means adapted to retain the first and second engagement portions in said interengagement.

According to a preferred feature of the invention the engagement portions are formed as an integral part of the respective edge portion and main portion.

According to an alternative preferred feature of the invention the engagement portions are formed as separate elements which are to be incorporated into the respective edge portion and main portion during formation of the main portion and the edge portion. According to a preferred feature of the invention the non-engaging faces of the engaging means are provided with and extension portion which is intended in use to become embodied with adjacent edge at least of the main portion or edge portion

According to a preferred feature of the invention the first and second engagement portions comprise complementary formations at the faces of the edge portion and the main portion which are to be in abutting relationship when interengaged, wherein when the complementary formations are in said interengagement the edge portion and main portion are incapable of relative movement transverse to the plane of the sports board. According to a preferred feature of the invention the complementary formations comprise have a tongue-like configuration on one portion and a complementary groove-like configuration on the other portion. According to a preferred feature of the invention the complementary formations extend for the full extent of the faces of the edge portion and the main portion which are to be in abutting relationship when interengaged.

According to a preferred feature of the invention the faces of the edge portion and the main portion which are to be in abutting relationship when interengaged have an extent which is non-linear. According to a preferred feature of the invention the configuration of the extent of the faces of the edge portion and the main portion which are to be in abutting relationship when interengaged is symmetrical about the central axis between the main portion and the edge portion. According one embodiment the configuration is arcuate. According to a preferred feature the configuration is generally sinusoidal. According another embodiment the configuration is defined by a set of interconnected straight edges.

According to a preferred feature of the invention the fastening means is located in the region of said interengagement.

According to a preferred feature of the invention the interengageable faces of the engagement portions are formed at least in part to provide the fastening means.

According to a preferred feature of the invention the fastening means comprises fixings which are engageable with the engaged engagement portions.

According to a preferred feature of the invention a plurality of fixings can be engaged at spaced locations along the interengaged faces of the engagement portions.

According to a preferred feature of the invention the edge portion comprises a nose section of the sports board.

According to a preferred feature of the invention the edge portion comprises a pair of opposed rail sections of the sports board.

According to a preferred feature of the invention the edge portion comprises a tail section of the sports board.

According to a preferred feature of the invention the sports board comprises a surfboard.

According to a preferred feature of the invention the edge portion comprises the tail portion of the surfboard.

According to a further aspect the invention resides in a connection means comprising a pair of interengagable portions which are capable of connecting the main portion of a sports board with an edge portion an edge portion where the edge portion is separable from the main portion, the edge portion being engageable with the main portion, the connection means providing the interengagement between the main portion and the edge portion to prevent relative movement between the edge portion and the main portion when engaged, the connection means being able to withstand the forces anticipated to be exerted between the edge portion and main portion during use of the sports board.

According to a preferred feature of the invention the connection means is configured to extend along at least a portion of the edge of the main portion.

According to a preferred feature of the invention the connection means comprises a first engagement portion adapted to be mounted on the edge portion, and a second engagement portion adapted to be mounted on the main portion, the first and second engagement portions being capable of said interengagement, the connection means further comprising a fastening means adapted to retain the first and second engagement portions in said interengagement.

According to a preferred feature of the invention the engagement portions are adapted to be incorporated into the respective edge portion and main portion during formation of the main portion and the edge portion.

According to a preferred feature of the invention the non-engaging faces of the engaging means are provided with and extension portion which is intended in use to become embodied with adjacent edge at least of the main portion or edge portion

According to a preferred feature of the invention the first and second engagement portions comprise complementary formations at the faces of the edge portion and the main portion which are to be in abutting relationship when interengaged, wherein when the complementary formations are in said interengagement the edge portion and main portion are incapable of relative movement transverse to the plane of the sports board.

According to a preferred feature of the invention, the complementary formations comprise have a tongue-like configuration on one portion and a complementary groove-like configuration on the other portion.

According to a preferred feature of the invention the complementary formations extend for the full extent of the faces of the edge portion and the main portion which are to be in abutting relationship when interengaged.

According to a preferred feature of the invention, the faces of the edge portion and the main portion which are to be in abutting relationship when interengaged have an extent which is non-linear. According to a preferred feature of the invention the configuration of the extent of the faces of the edge portion and the main portion which are to be in abutting relationship when interengaged is symmetrical about the central axis between the main portion and the edge portion. According to one embodiment the configuration is arcuate. According to a preferred feature the configuration is generally sinusoidal. According to an alternative embodiment the configuration is defined by a set of interconnected straight edges.

According to a preferred feature of the invention, the fastening means is located in the region of said interengagement.

According to a preferred feature of the invention, the interengageable faces of the engagement portions are formed at least in part to provide the fastening means.

According to a preferred feature of the invention the fastening means comprises fixings which are engageable with the engaged engagement portions.

According to a preferred feature of the invention a plurality of fixings can be engaged at spaced locations along the interengaged faces of the engagement portions.

The invention will be more fully understood from the following description of several specific embodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of the main portion of a surfboard according to the first embodiment;

FIGS. 2 and 3 are exploded isometric views of the rear portion of a surfboard with an edge portion which is to be applied to the main portion of the surfboard in accordance with the first embodiment;

FIG. 4 is an isometric view of the engagement portions according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 5 is an exploded view of the rear portion of a surfboard and the second engagement element according to the fourth embodiment;

FIG. 6 is an end elevation of the second engagement element according to the fourth embodiment as viewed from the open end of the second engagement element;

FIG. 7 is a schematic isometric view of a surf board and associated tail section according to the fifth embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 8 is a sectional view along line A-A of FIG. 7.

DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS

It is a feature of surfboards that the configuration of the tail portion of the surfboard can influence or vary the characteristics of the board. Furthermore, the surfing characteristics of a board will vary depending upon the sea conditions in which the board is being used and the weight of the user and as a surfer increases their skills the operating characteristics required of the board will vary. Each of the embodiments is directed to a surfboard which has a main portion and a removable tail portion which can be replaced by alternative tail portions to provide for a variation in the configuration of the tail of the surfboard. It is an object of the embodiments to enable a user to vary the tail of the board according to at least some of the conditions which are relevant to the board (e.g. sea conditions, weight and skill of the user) without the need to have a different surfboard for each circumstance. This is achieved by having a removable tail portion which can be replaced by alternative tail portions of a differing configuration.

In the case of the first embodiment, which is illustrated at FIGS. 1 to 4 of the accompanying drawings, the surfboard comprises a main portion 11 and at least one removable tail portion 13. The rear end of the main portion of the board is formed with a rear extension 15 having a convex generally V-shaped configuration which is to receive a tail portion 13 having a complementary concave V-shaped configuration whereby the tail portion provides a continuation of the side edges of the surfboard at its rear end. The engagement and retention of the tail portion 13 on the rear extension 15 is effected through abutting faces on the rear extension 15 and tail portion 13 which are profiled such that, when they are interengaged, they will prevent relative transverse movement between the tail portion 13 and the rear extension 15. The abutting faces are defined by a pair of engagement portions 17 and 19 which are to be engaged with the respective abutting face of the tail portion 13 and rear extension 15 respectively. The engagement portions 17 and 19 are formed of a suitable rigid plastics material. The engagement portion 17 which is applied to the tail portion 13 is formed with a groove 21 along its length and the other engagement portion 19, which is to be applied to the rear extension 15, is formed with a rib 23 along its length, which is of complementary configuration to the groove 21 of the engagement portion 17 in order that the rib 23 can be snugly received in the groove 21. Each engagement portion is intended to be applied to the tail portion. 13 and rear extension 15 respectively during manufacture of those components such that they are bonded to the main core of the respective portion. The facing layer of fibre-reinforced plastics which is subsequently applied to the respective portion overlaps the junction between the respective engagement portion and the tail portion and rear extension respectively.

In addition, the second engagement portion 19 is formed at its free ends with flange portions 25 which extend laterally outwardly from the ends and which are intended to abut with the cut away face of the main portion 11 of the surfboard at the junction between the main portion 11 and the rear extension 15.

The engagement portions 17 and 19 are configured on their engaging faces which are to be in engagement with each other such that they will snugly engage with each other and retain the tail portion 13 on the main portion 11 to prevent relative transverse movement therebetween. In order to retain the tail portion 13 in engagement on the main portion 11 and prevent relative longitudinal displacement between the main portion 11 and the tail portion 13, a fastening means is provided between the engagement portions 17 and 19. The fastening means comprises a set of apertures 27, on the first engagement portion 17, which are located at each end and at the central portion of the first engagement portion 17. The fastening means also comprises a second set of apertures 29 located in the rib 23 of the second engagement portion 19 which are located in correspondence with the first set of apertures 27 on the first engagement portion 17. The fastening means further comprises a set of pins or like elements 31 which are receivable through the first and second apertures 27 and 29 when aligned. The pins or like elements 31 may be formed as bolts which are threadably engageable with a threaded portion formed on the lower end of the first set of apertures 27 or any other form of pin-like engagement element.

In addition the ends of the first engagement portion 17 are provided with axially directed pins 28 while the ends of the second engagement portion are provided with correspondingly located apertures 30 which are intended to receive the pins when the engagement portions are in face to face engagement. The interengaged pins and apertures serve in assisting the portions to become engaged and provide the required resistance to movement. If desired additional pins and associated apertures can be located at spaced intervals along the engagement faces to increase the strength and or resistance to movement.

It is intended that, during the fabrication of a board, the rear end of the main body of the blank from which the board is to be formed will be cut away to provide the rear extension 15. The second engagement portion 19 is to be applied to the cut-away portion to surround the perimeter of the rear extension 15 and is fixed in position by a suitable adhesive. In addition, the first engagement portion 17 will be applied to a blank tail portion in order that the blank tail portion 13 can be applied to the rear extension 15 of the main portion 11 of the surfboard. The tail portion 13 will then be applied and fixed in the main portion 11 by utilisation of the fastening means and the main portion 11 and tail portion 13 will be shaped to the desired shape and to provide a continuous surface between the main portion 11 and the tail portion 13 and, in so doing, the flange portions 25 of the second engagement portion 19 are shaped by being cut and/or sanded and/or ground to a shape corresponding to the desired edge of the main portion 11.

In order to facilitate the fixing and retention of the engagement portions on the main portion and edge portion each engagement portion is provided on their non-engaging faces with a flange 29 which extends from the side of the face and for the full length of the face as shown at FIG. 4. On application of the engagement portions to the main or edge portion the flange will overlie the edge of the main or edge portion and become embodied therein with the formation of the board. According to an alternative embodiment the flange may me provided to each side of the non-engaging face and extend for the length of the face. According to yet another embodiment the flange is discontinuous to provide a set of spaced tabs along the edge of the non-engaging face.

Where a number of tail portions of differing shape are to be provided with the surfboard, each tail portion will be applied to the blank body of the main portion such that the ends of the tail portion which are to abut with the main portion are to be shaped to be substantially continuous with the main portion. Once the desired shapes have been produced for the main portion and the tail portions, appropriate layers of fibre reinforced resin will be applied over the main portion of the board and each tail portion 13 separately and in accordance with the usual practice. However, such materials will not be applied over the intended abutting faces of the engagement portions. The result will comprise a surfboard having a plurality of tail sections which can be fixedly engaged with the main portion to provide for a surfboard having differing shape characteristics according to the requirements of the user and the conditions in which the surfboard is to be used.

According to a second embodiment of the invention, the engagement portions of the main portion and the tail portions are formed as an integral part of the main portion and tail portion.

According to a third embodiment of the invention, the second engagement portion of the main portion takes the form of that of the first embodiment and the ail portion is formed as a single item in which the first engagement portion is formed as an integral part of the tail portion.

The fourth embodiment of the invention, as shown at FIGS. 5 and 6, is a variation of the first embodiment in which the second engagement portion 119 of the embodiment is provided with a membrane 133 on its upper and lower face which extends between the side arms of the second engagement portion 119. The membrane is formed of a fibrous material corresponding to that which is utilised in the manufacture of the outer layer of the surfboard and the configuration of the membrane is such that, when the second engagement portion 119 is applied to the rear extension 115 of the main portion 111, the membranes 133 will snugly overlie the opposed faces of the rear extension 115. On the laying up of the fibre reinforced plastics resin over the main portion 111 of the board including the rear extension 115, the membranes become embodied into the layers provided on the board at the rear end thereof in order to further positively retain the second engagement portion 119 in position on the rear extension 115.

A fifth embodiment of the invention is shown at FIGS. 7 and 8. The principal variation of the fifth embodiment comprises the sinusoidal configuration of the faces of the engagement portions. In addition the plane of the rib 223 on the tail section is offset from the plane of the tail section as shown. This offset enables a greater variation in the angular variation that is available in the formation of the tail section relative to the main body of the board.

According to a sixth embodiment of the invention, the fastening means comprises, a set of integral projections and complementary recesses provided with the groove 21 of the first engagement portion 17 and the rib 23 of the second engagement portion 19 at spaced intervals along their abutting faces. In use, when the corresponding projections and recesses are interengaged, the tail portion 13 is held in positive engagement on the main portion 11. Such fastening means are provided towards the ends of the the engagement portions 17 and 19 proximate the periphery of the combined board and edge section and centrally on the engagement portions. The projections and the recesses may be supplemented by a further locking means of the form described in relation to the first embodiment.

The invention has application to alternative methods of manufacturing sports boards as described above.

In addition, the main portion and edge portion can be retrofitted to a pre-existing sports board rather than provided to the sports board during manufacture.

It should be appreciated that the scope of the present invention need not be limited to the particular scope of the embodiments described above. 

1. A sports board comprising a main portion and an edge portion, the edge portion being separable from the main portion, the edge portion being engageable with the main portion, the edge portion in use to provide an edge profile, upper surface and lower surface which is an substantially uninterrupted continuation of the edge profile upper surface and lower surface respectively of the main portion, a connection means providing the interengagement between the main portion and the edge portion to prevent relative movement between the edge portion and the main portion when engaged, the connection means being able to withstand the forces anticipated to be exerted between the edge portion and main portion during use of the sports board, the edge of the main portion which in use is to abut the edge portion having a generally convex profile and the edge of the edge portion which in use is to abut the main portion having a complementary generally concave profile.
 2. (canceled)
 3. A sports board as claimed at claim 1 wherein, a plurality of edge portions are provided which are each capable of being separately engaged with the portion of the edge to provide a capacity for a variation in shape for the sports board.
 4. A sports board as claimed at claim 1 wherein, the connection means comprises a first engagement portion provided on the edge portion, and a second engagement portion provided on the main portion, the first and second engagement portions being capable of said interengagement, the connection means further comprising a fastening means adapted to retain the first and second engagement portions in said interengagement.
 5. A sports board as claimed at claim 4 wherein, the engagement portions are formed as an integral part of the respective edge portion and main portion.
 6. A sports board as claimed at claim 4 wherein, the engagement portions are formed as separate elements which are to be incorporated into the respective edge portion and main portion during formation of the main portion and the edge portion.
 7. A sports board as claimed at claim 4, wherein, the first and second engagement portions comprise complementary formations at the faces of the edge portion and the main portion which are to be in abutting relationship when interengaged, wherein when the complementary formations are in said interengagement the edge portion and main portion are incapable of relative movement transverse to the plane of the sports board.
 8. A sports board as claimed at claim 7 wherein, the complementary formations comprise have a tongue-like configuration on one portion and a complementary groove-like configuration on the other portion.
 9. A sports board as claimed at claim 7 wherein the complementary formations extend for the full extent of the faces of the edge portion and the main portion which are to be in abutting relationship when interengaged.
 10. A sports board as claimed at claim 7 wherein, the faces of the edge portion and the main portion which are to be in abutting relationship when interengaged have an extent which is non-linear.
 11. A sports board as claimed at claim 10 wherein the configuration of the extent of the faces of the edge portion and the main portion which are to be in abutting relationship when interengaged is symmetrical about the central axis between the main portion and the edge portion.
 12. A sports board as claimed at claim 11 wherein the configuration is arcuate.
 13. A sports board as claimed at claim 12 wherein the configuration is generally sinusoidal.
 14. A sports board as claimed at claim 11 wherein the configuration is defined by a set of interconnected straight edges.
 15. A sports board as claimed at claim 4 wherein, the fastening means is located in the region of said interengagement.
 16. A sports board as claimed at claim 15 wherein the interengageable faces of the engagement portions are formed at least in part to provide the fastening means.
 17. A sports board as claimed at claim 4 wherein, the fastening means comprise fixings which are engageable with the engaged engagement portions.
 18. A sports board as claimed at claim 17 wherein, a plurality of fixings can be engaged at spaced locations along the interengaged faces of the engagement portions.
 19. A sports board as claimed at claim 6 wherein the non-engaging faces of the engaging means are provided with an extension portion which is intended in use to become embodied with adjacent edge at least of the main portion or edge portion
 20. A sports board as claimed at claim 19 wherein, the edge portion comprises a nose section of the sports board.
 21. (canceled)
 22. A sports board as claimed at claim 19, the edge portion comprises a tail section of the sports board.
 23. A sports board as claimed at claim 1 wherein the sports board comprises a surfboard.
 24. (canceled)
 25. A connection means adapted to enable the engagement of an edge portion to a main portion of a sports board, the connection means configured to extend along at least a portion of the edge of the main portion and comprising a pair of interengagable portions which are capable of connecting the main portion with the edge portion such that the edge portion is capable of engagement with the main portion, the connection means providing the interengagement between the main portion and the edge portion to prevent relative movement between the edge portion and the main portion when engaged, the connection means being able to withstand the forces anticipated to be exerted between the edge portion and main portion during use of the sports board.
 26. (canceled)
 27. A connection means as claimed at claim 25 wherein the connection means comprises a first engagement portion adapted to be mounted on the edge portion, and a second engagement portion adapted to be mounted on the main portion, the first and second engagement portions being capable of said interengagement, the connection means further comprising a fastening means adapted to retain the first and second engagement portions in said interengagement.
 28. A connection means as claimed at claim 27 wherein the engagement portions are adapted to be incorporated into the respective edge portion and main portion during formation of the main portion and the edge portion.
 29. A connection means as claimed at claim 28 wherein the non-engaging faces of the engaging means are provided with an extension portion which is intended in use to become embodied with the adjacent edge portion of at least of the main portion or edge portion.
 30. A connection means as claimed at claim 27 wherein, the first and second engagement portions comprise complementary formations at the faces of the edge portion and the main portion which are to be in abutting relationship when interengaged, wherein when the complementary formations are in said interengagement the edge portion and main portion are incapable of relative movement transverse to the plane of the sports board.
 31. A connection means as claimed at claim 30 wherein, the complementary formations have a tongue-like configuration on one portion and a complementary groove-like configuration on the other portion.
 32. A connection means as claimed at claim 31 wherein the complementary formations extend for the full extent of the faces of the edge portion and the main portion which are to be in abutting relationship when interengaged.
 33. A connection means as claimed at claim 32 wherein, the faces of the edge portion and the main portion which are to be in abutting relationship when interengaged have an extent which is non-linear.
 34. A connection means as claimed at claim 33 wherein the configuration of the extent of the faces of the edge portion and the main portion which are to be in abutting relationship when interengaged is symmetrical about the central axis between the main portion and the edge portion.
 35. A connection means as claimed at claim 34 wherein the configuration is arcuate.
 36. A connection means as claimed at claim 34 wherein the configuration is generally sinusoidal.
 37. A connection means as claimed at claim 34 wherein the configuration is defined by a set of interconnected straight edges.
 38. A connection means as claimed at claim 27 wherein, the fastening means is located in the region of said interengagement.
 39. A connection means as claimed at claim 38 wherein the interengageable faces of the engagement portions are formed at least in part to provide the fastening means.
 40. A connection means as claimed at claim 27 wherein, the fastening means comprises fixings which are engageable with the engagement portions.
 41. A connection means as claimed at claim 27 wherein a plurality of fixings can be engaged at spaced locations along the interengaged faces of the engagement portions.
 42. (canceled)
 43. A sports board as claimed at claim 1 wherein a configuration of the edges of the main portion and the edge portion which in use are to be in abutting relationship when interengaged is symmetrical about the central axis between the main portion and the edge portion.
 44. A sports board as claimed at claim 43 wherein wherein the configuration is arcuate.
 45. A sports board as claimed at claim 43 wherein the configuration is generally sinusoidal.
 46. A sports board as claimed at claim 43 wherein the configuration is defined by a set of interconnected straight edges.
 47. A sports board as claimed at claim 1 to 22 wherein the sports board comprises a sailboard.
 48. A sports board as claimed at claim 1 to 22 wherein the sports board comprises a wakeboard.
 49. A sports board as claimed at claim 1 wherein the sports board comprises a kite-surfing board.
 50. A sports board as claimed at claim 1 wherein the sports board comprises a wave ski. 